Mari is a founding member of Alchemy, troupe co-director, choreography fiend, drill nazi, and instructor. She holds Ansuya's Cabaret Comprehensive Certification (March 2008) and started belly dancing in 2001.

Why do you dance?
It is the universal language. It is instinctual, yet highly creative and thought provoking. It is a way to reach out to others and unite people, to overcome our self imposed barriers.I dance because I cannot imagine not dancing.

What is the most embarrassing moment you've had on stage?
Thankfully, if I've had bad ones, I tend to forget them. The only one that comes to mind is when my shoe fell off mid-performance at Arts in the Hearts one year. It is so much easier to go barefoot.

What is your favorite tribal move and why?
Probably whatever our newest invention to add to our group improv style. I love our openness and creativity in trying new things.

What is your favorite Alchemy moment/story?
There are so many great moments, its hard to pick one. I think that my favorite performance still was a pro bono performance we did to benefit the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. It was at night at the zoo and only open to very few people. Seeing the animals in their nocturnal state and feeling like we had the zoo all to ourselves was surreal and magical.

Besides bellydance, what are your other passions?
My husband. He is my knight in shining armor, my best friend, my confidant, and the love of my life. :) Things I love to do though are reading, getting into a good movie, playing games (board and video), corsetting, traveling, trying new things (foods, experiences, hobbies, classes, whatever), and that ever elusive . . . sleeping.

What stresses you out?
People who lie or are dishonest. People who expect things without wanting to work for them. Meanness. Greed. Self-centeredness. Basically people who don't follow the basic ethic of reciprocity.

What is your favorite dessert?
Just about any dessert that my super talented cook of a sweety cooks up. I love his Death and Rebirth By Chocolate Cake and his Cinnamon Chip Applesauce Cake. In a pinch when theres no time for all that cooking, a plain old Hershey's bar is my favorite quick fix.

What is your favorite Alchemy choreography and why?
Pretty much whatever choreography we are coming up with at that time. We work really hard to incorporate a story, look, feel, and awesome technique into each choreography, so it really is an all encompassing affair to get caught up in.

Describe your favorite bellydance outfit and why?
Once again that depends on my mood and what choreography we are doing. I feel like the outfit HAS to match the mood of the choreography and music.


"Being ideal is probably impossible, but reaching for it may be the richest and most exciting way to do it all. The goal is to be, without giving yourself a name, without saying who you are, without defining your limits, without spelling out your weaknesses or even your strengths. You will never be anything but what you are, but, once again, being human you are an awesome creature with powers, complexities and possibilities beyond your imagination. Not naming yourself, not defining yourself, opens gates, knocks down walls and makes it impossible for anyone, including you, to anticipate your scenario."

-Daniel Nagrin in "How to Dance Forever"